Swainsboro Police Department holds Annual Police Banquet, Purvis named Officer of the Year

The 2025 Swainsboro Police Department Awards Banquet was held Friday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Beaver Creek Plantation. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Swainsboro Police Chief Ashley Riner opened the banquet with a welcome to everyone and a note of appreciation to the Webb Family, owners of Beaver Creek, for their support. PTL Stephen Davis prayed a special blessing over a delicious meal consisting of fried chicken, grilled pork chops, salad, green beans, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and dessert, which was enjoyed by all.

Following the meal, Chief Riner recognized administrative staff members Zelda Sumner, Sgt. Melody Grant and Alice Brett. Next, he recognized special guests Mayor Greg Bennett, City Administrator Herman Middlebrooks, Council Members Julian Sconyers and Johnny Ray Stafford, Attorney Richard McNeely, Attorney Richard Thompson and The Forest-Blade staff. This was followed by a word of thanks to Richard Newsome and his staff at Swainsboro Animal Control along with Collie Clark, Community Service Supervisor.

“Captain Coleman Hall wrote the SOP for the awards program, and I believe over the past 17 years approximately 300 awards have been presented. When I attended my first awards banquet, I was presented with six awards for all the accomplishments made during my entire career. I was very proud that someone took the time to recognize all my work. So, I have enjoyed coming to the banquet every year and plan to see that it continues,” said Chief Riner.

Awards presentations began with LT Adam Kersey recognizing PTL Jacob Wheeler and PFC Le’Untay Starnes for completing the Intoximeter Course. SGT Todd Purcell was promoted to a supervisory position.

The Marksman Award was presented to PTL Lane Allen, PTL Jacob Wheeler and SFC Angie Wilkerson. Allen was unable to attend the banquet but earned a ribbon for this accomplishment. Wilkerson was also not able to attend but was recognized with a knot for her accomplishment. Wheeler was on hand to receive his ribbon.

The next group to be recognized were the Expert Awards. Officers received the following: PTL Tyler Beasley, ribbon and 1 knot; PTL Shawn Wilkerson, ribbon; CPL Seth Purvis, ribbon; PFC Le’untay Starnes, ribbon and 1 knot; LT Adam Kersey, 1 know; SGT Rebecca Snelgrove, 2nd ribbon; PTL Stephen Davis, ribbon; and CPT Coleman Hall (who was unable to attend), 2nd knot.

The Top Gun Award went to Coleman Hall.

Two Life Saving Awards were presented. PTL Jacob Wheeler, nominated by SGT Robbie Carter, received the first award; followed by PTL Lane Allen, nominated by SGT Rebecca Snelgrove. Both of these officers went above and beyond to save the lives of two of our citizens.

The following promotions were announced: SGT Rebecca Snellgrove transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division; SGT Adam Kersey was promoted to Lieutenant, Training and Special Operations; SFC Angie Wilkerson was promoted to Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division; CPL Todd Purcell was promoted to Sergeant and Shift Supervisor; CPL Seth Purvis was promoted to Sergeant and Shift Supervisor; PTL Daniela Santos was promoted to Corporal; PFC Le’untay Starnes was promoted to Corporal; PTL Jacob Wheeler was promoted to Corporal; PTL Tyler Beasley was promoted to Corporal; PTL Cari Hall, PTL Dylan Lowery, PTL Lane Allen and PTL Shawn Wilkerson were promoted to PFC.

The final award presented was the ‘Officer of the Year’ award. The recipient of this award was SGT Seth Purvis. This award goes to the officer who is selected by the majority of his peers as having demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments over the previous year. “The Officer of the Year for 2024 is a hard worker and is prepared to handle any situation that arises during shift. This officer stays motivated and helps with any task,” said Chief Riner.

Following the awards presentation, Mayor Greg Bennett officially swore Chief Riner in as Chief of Police for the City of Swainsboro. “In closing, I am honored to have been selected as Chief of Police for Swainsboro. I was handed a department that was for the most part in great working order. I have made some changes that I consider minor. I hope these changes have made the department better. We will continue to keep our city safe by enforcing laws but we will also attempt to make a large impact on the community through community policing – building and regaining trust in our community,” concluded Chief Riner.